The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates


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(4.6 stars; 38 reviews)

Xenophon's best memorial of his old guide, philosopher, and friend is this work, in which Xenophon brought together in simple and direct form the views of life that had been made clear to himself by the teaching of Socrates. Xenophon is throughout opposing a plain tale to the false accusations against Socrates. He does not idealise, but he feels strongly, and he shows clearly the worth of the wisdom that touches at every point the actual conduct of the lives of men.(Summary by Craig Campbell)

Chapters

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INTRODUCTION 4:53 Read by btuten
BOOK 1, CHAPTER I. SOCRATES NOT A CONTEMNER OF THE GODS OF HIS COUNTRY, NOR AN INTRODUCER OF NEW ONES 10:50 Read by btuten
BOOK 1, CHAPTER II. SOCRATES NOT A DEBAUCHER OF YOUTH 26:20 Read by RHelfmann
BOOK 1, CHAPTER III. HOW SOCRATES BEHAVED THROUGH THE WHOLE OF HIS LIFE 9:57 Read by Craig Campbell
BOOK 1, CHAPTER IV. SOCRATES PROVETH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEITY 14:51 Read by Craig Campbell
BOOK 1, CHAPTER V. THE PRAISE OF TEMPERANCE 3:17 Read by RHelfmann
BOOK 1, CHAPTER VI. THE DISPUTE OF SOCRATES WITH ANTIPHON, THE SOPHIST 7:19 Read by RHelfmann
BOOK 2, CHAPTER I. A CONFERENCE OF SOCRATES WITH ARISTIPPUS CONCERNING PLEASURE AND TEMPERANCE 23:28 Read by shibe
BOOK 1, CHAPTER VII. IN WHAT MANNER SOCRATES DISSUADED MEN FROM SELF-CONCEIT AND OSTENTATION 2:23 Read by RHelfmann
BOOK 2, CHAPTER II. SOCRATES’ DISCOURSE WITH HIS ELDEST SON LAMPROCLES CONCERNING THE RESPECT DUE TO PARENTS 8:05 Read by RHelfmann
BOOK 2, CHAPTER III. SOCRATES RECONCILES CHAEREPHON AND CHAERECRATES, TWO BROTHERS WHO WERE FORMERLY AT VARIANCE 7:27 Read by RHelfmann
BOOK 2, CHAPTER IV. A DISCOURSE OF SOCRATES CONCERNING FRIENDSHIP 4:05 Read by Dave Stevens
BOOK 2, CHAPTER V. OF THE WORTH AND VALUE OF FRIENDS 2:40 Read by jenno
BOOK 2, CHAPTER VI. OF THE CHOICE OF FRIENDS 21:21 Read by jenno
BOOK 2, CHAPTER VII. SOCRATES SHOWETH ARISTARCHUS HOW TO GET RID OF POVERTY 10:59 Read by jenno
BOOK 2, CHAPTER VIII. SOCRATES PERSUADES EUTHERUS TO ABANDON HIS FORMER WAY OF LIVING, AND TO BETAKE HIMSELF TO SOME MORE USEFUL AND HONOURABLE EMPLOYMENT 3:50 Read by Kristine Bekere
BOOK 2, CHAPTER IX. IN WHAT MANNER SOCRATES TAUGHT HIS FRIEND CRITO TO RID HIMSELF OF SOME INFORMERS, WHO TOOK THE ADVANTAGE OF HIS EASY TEMPER 5:04 Read by Kristine Bekere
BOOK 2, CHAPTER X. SOCRATES ADVISES DIODORUS TO DO JUSTICE TO THE MERIT OF HERMOGENES, AND TO ACCEPT OF HIS SERVICE AND FRIENDSHIP 2:46 Read by Kristine Bekere
BOOK 3, CHAPTER I. OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A GENERAL 7:03 Read by Kristine Bekere
BOOK 3, CHAPTER II. THE CHARACTER OF A GOOD PRINCE 2:29 Read by Kristine Bekere
BOOK 3, CHAPTER III. ON THE BUSINESS OF A GENERAL OF HORSE 8:17 Read by DJRickyV
BOOK 3, CHAPTER IV. A DISCOURSE OF SOCRATES WITH NICOMACHIDES, IN WHICH HE SHOWETH THAT A MAN SKILFUL IN HIS OWN PROPER BUSINESS, AND WHO MANAGES HIS AFFAIRS WITH PRUDENCE AND SAGACITY, MAY MAKE, WHEN OCCASION OFFERS, A GOOD GENERAL 8:39 Read by DJRickyV
BOOK 3, CHAPTER V. A CONVERSATION BETWEEN SOCRATES AND PERICLES CONCERNING THE THEN PRESENT STATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ATHENS, IN WHICH SOCRATES LAYS DOWN A METHOD BY WHICH THE ATHENIANS MAY RECOVER THEIR ANCIENT LUSTRE AND REPUTATION 14:29 Read by Paul Fleischman
BOOK 3, CHAPTER VI. SOCRATES DISSUADES GLAUCON, A VERY FORWARD YOUTH, FROM TAKING UPON HIM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH HE WAS UNFIT 10:16 Read by Craig Campbell
BOOK 3, CHAPTER VII. SOCRATES PERSUADETH CHARMIDAS, A PERSON OF MERIT AND GREAT CAPACITY, BUT VERY MODEST AND DIFFIDENT OF HIMSELF, TO UNDERTAKE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC 5:02 Read by Darren Beckham
BOOK 3, CHAPTER VIII. SOCRATES’ DISPUTE WITH ARISTIPPUS CONCERNING THE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL 5:34 Read by Darren Beckham
BOOK 3, CHAPTER IX. SOCRATES RETURNS SUITABLE ANSWERS TO A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS PROPOSED TO HIM 8:05 Read by Darren Beckham
BOOK 3, CHAPTER X. SOCRATES, IN CONVERSATION WITH SEVERAL ARTIFICERS, A PAINTER, A STATUARY, AND AN ARMOURER, SHOWETH HIS SKILL AND GOOD TASTE IN THE FINER ARTS 11:34 Read by Jay Mistry
BOOK 3, CHAPTER XI. DISCOURSE OF SOCRATES WITH THEODOTA, AN ATHENIAN LADY, OF NO GOOD CHARACTER; WHEREIN HE ENDEAVOURETH, IN THE MOST ARTFUL AND ENGAGING MANNER, TO WIN HER OVER FROM THE CRIMINAL PLEASURES TO WHICH SHE WAS ADDICTED UNTO THE SUBLIMER AND MORE INNOCENT DELIGHTS OF PHILOSOPHY AND VIRTUE 6:01 Read by Phil Schempf
BOOK 3, CHAPTER XII. OF THE NECESSITY OF EXERCISE TO HEALTH AND STRENGTH OF BODY 4:13 Read by Darren Beckham
BOOK 3, CHAPTER XIII. SEVERAL APOPHTHEGMS OF SOCRATES 4:02 Read by shibe
BOOK 3, CHAPTER XIV. SOCRATES PROPOSETH SOME REGULATIONS FOR THE BETTER MANAGEMENT OF THEIR PUBLIC FEASTS 4:15 Read by shibe
BOOK 4, CHAPTER I. THAT PERSONS OF GOOD NATURAL PARTS, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE PLENTIFUL FORTUNES, OUGHT NOT TO THINK THEMSELVES ABOVE INSTRUCTION. ON THE CONTRARY, THE ONE OUGHT, BY THE AID OF LEARNING, TO IMPROVE THEIR GENIUS; THE OTHER, BY THE ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE, TO RENDER THEMSELVES VALUABLE 5:29 Read by Jeremy Sherwood
BOOK 4, CHAPTER II. CONFERENCE BETWEEN SOCRATES AND EUTHYDEMUS, IN WHICH HE CONVINCES THAT YOUNG MAN, WHO HAD A GREAT OPINION OF HIMSELF, THAT HE KNEW NOTHING 31:43 Read by Craig Campbell
BOOK 4, CHAPTER III. PROOFS OF A KIND SUPERINTENDING PROVIDENCE.—WHAT RETURNS OF GRATITUDE AND DUTY MEN OUGHT TO MAKE TO GOD FOR HIS FAVOURS.—AN HONEST AND GOOD LIFE THE BEST SONG OF THANKSGIVING OR THE MOST ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE TO THE DEITY 13:44 Read by Ian Virly
BOOK 4, CHAPTER IV. INSTANCES OF THE INVIOLABLE INTEGRITY OF SOCRATES.—HIS CONVERSATION WITH HIPPIAS CONCERNING JUSTICE 20:44 Read by Ian Virly
BOOK 4, CHAPTER V. OF THE MISCHIEFS OF INTEMPERANCE, AND THE ADVANTAGES OF SOBRIETY 7:46 Read by Daniel Shorten
BOOK 4, CHAPTER VI. SOCRATES’ FRIENDS ATTAIN, BY FREQUENTING HIS CONVERSATION, AN EXCELLENT WAY OF REASONING.—THE METHOD HE OBSERVED IN ARGUING SHOWN IN SEVERAL INSTANCES.—OF THE DIFFERENT SORTS OF GOVERNMENT.—HOW SOCRATES DEFENDED HIS OPINIONS 13:30 Read by Craig Campbell
BOOK 4, CHAPTER VII. METHOD TO BE OBSERVED IN STUDY.—ARTS AND SCIENCES NO FURTHER USEFUL, THAN THEY CONTRIBUTE TO RENDER MEN WISER, BETTER, OR HAPPIER.—VAIN AND UNPROFITABLE KNOWLEDGE TO BE REJECTED 7:03 Read by Craig Campbell
BOOK 4, CHAPTER VIII. BEHAVIOUR OF SOCRATES FROM THE TIME OF HIS CONDEMNATION TO HIS DEATH.—HIS CHARACTER SUMMED UP IN A FEW WORDS 6:07 Read by RHelfmann

Reviews

good book well read


(5 stars)

Why is the first chapter of book 2 before the last chapter of book 1? I thought it might be a mistake, but the readers even say “section 7” and “section 8” before the respective parts

Thanks for reading


(5 stars)

Nicely transformed into contemporary English

3 lessons I learnt


(5 stars)

1) don't eat things that will make you eat more. 2) justice is observing the law 3) study other subjects, but don't go beyond what is useful